Vote for Nicholas

Jean Hodge

Nicholas Watts, of Vine House Farm at Deeping St Nicholas, is one of eight finalists in the national Nature of Farming Award.

Nicholas, one of the farmers being celebrated for their wildlife-friendly work, donates five per cent of takings from Vine House Farm Bird Foods to The Wildlife Trusts across the UK.

Over the last 20 years, barn owl numbers on his farm have quadrupled, and whitethroats, tree sparrows and lapwings have increased ten-fold.

Nicholas monitors breeding species, not just on his arable farm, but in the local area of Deeping Fen. Every spring, he covers 70 miles carrying out these surveys that help him tailor his farmland management to the best possible results for wildlife.

The winning farmer is determined by public vote, which can be made until Saturday, August 31 at http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/farming/natureoffarming/finalists/index.aspx

Everyone who votes will be entered into a free prize draw for a luxury break for two people with Millennium Hotels.